KUALA LUMPUR: K-Pop mega-sensation BTS made history last month when it became the first K-Pop group to address the United Nations in New York.
Apparently, newly-released footage of the South Korean outfit preparing for its historic speech also saw band member Suga talking about the unfortunate prejudice faced by fans of the group.
According to Soompi, BTS had revealed a new behind-the-scenes clip yesterday of the boys attending the 73rd UN General Assembly, where they delivered a three-minute speech in honour of UNICEF’s new Generation Unlimited initiative.
The seven members of the popular group were invited by UNICEF to speak at the assembly as goodwill ambassadors after working together last year on a campaign.
Titled Love Myself, its aim was to end violence against children and young people around the world.
While brainstorming on the content of their speech, Suga said that he was very impressed by their fans, who had helped make it possible for the Love Myself campaign to raise over USD1 million dollars in support of its cause.
He added that BTS by itself would never have accomplished much and that it was the fans who were creating a positive change in society.
“Honestly, we’re always doing things and talking about things but that itself doesn’t help people all that much. I don’t think our acting alone is a big help to others. I think what’s really amazing is the fact that the people who like us and support us are taking up (the cause) in that way,” he said.
Suga also highlighted the fact that fans of idols were often disparaged unfairly by others. He said: “They are often belittled for being idol fans. But they’re actually really extraordinary people.”
He then praised BTS’ fans for their contributions, and added: “Honestly, it’s not easy to do such things just because you like someone.”
Bandmate RM agreed and chimed in with: “[Our fans] are the ones who established the seven of us as spokespeople and took us all the way to the United Nations. We’re merely speaking on their behalf.”